A MAN suffered a fractured cheek bone in a vicious assault in Manchester city centre before being saved by passers-by.

The victim was attack by two men in St James Street, who punched and stamped on his head before banging it against a kerb and a nearby parked car.

Passers-by intervened and stopped the assault and the two offenders ran off. The victim was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries, which are not life threatening, after the assault at 3am last Sunday.

As well as a fractured cheekbone the man also suffered severe swelling to his head and a number of cuts and bruises on his face.

Pc Anthony Strong, of Grey Mare Lane CID, said: "This was a vicious assault that has left a man in hospital.

"While there may not be any lasting injuries, the outcome could have been very different had the passers-by not stopped the attack.

"These men need to be held accountable for their ferocious behaviour, so I would ask anyone who witnessed the incident to get in touch."

One of the attackers was black, 6ft 4in and had a heavy build. He had a shaved head and was wearing a beige coloured shirt. Police believe he may have been drinking in a bar on Portland Street until around 2am on the Sunday morning.

The second man was white, of medium build with short brown hair and was wearing a blue jumper and jeans.

A 40-year-old man from Withington was arrested at the scene on suspicion of wounding with intent. He has since been bailed until November 16.

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 8563240 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.